Alabama Legislature approves bill to stop paying convicted teachers

View full size(AP Photo)The Alabama Legislature has approved a bill that would stop payment to teachers convicted of a felony or any sexual abuse involving a child.

MONTGOMERY, Ala.
-- The Alabama Legislature has passed a bill that would stop public
schools from continuing to pay the salary of teachers convicted of major
felonies or sex offenses involving a child.

The Senate voted 33-0
to approve the bill Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep.
Chad Fincher of Semmes, cleared the Houses in February. The bill now
goes to the governor.

The bill was filed because of the case of
Washington County teacher Charlene Schmitz. Schmitz was convicted of
child enticement and continued to receive pay while serving a 10-year
federal prison sentence.